ABU DHABI // Hasan Raza, the former Pakistan international, used all his experience to guide Alubond Tigers to the Techaccess Cup, the capital’s premier 50 over-a-side tournament.
Arriving at the crease after the fall of the third wicket at 46 in the 12th over, Raza carried his bat until the end for an undefeated on 76 for his team to emerge winners by three wickets over Danube Lions at the Zayed Cricket stadium on Saturday.
His 96-ball knock was highlighted by half-a-dozen fours and a six. He also featured in two key partnerships, putting on 40 for the sixth wicket with Umair Ali (23) and 56 for the seventh wicket with Asif Mumtaz (9).
“Yes, you can say it was my experience to see my team through by staying at the crease and picking up the runs without taking much risk,” said Raza, who faced 96 balls and struck half-a-dozen fours and a six.
“I have been playing at the top flight for more than two decades and that experience definitely was the key. We were not chasing a daunting total and it was a matter of staying at the wicket and the shot selection to score runs.”
The support provided to Raza at the other end by both Ali and Mumtaz were critical in their chase after reduced to 85 for five in the 17th over in reply to Danube’s 192 all out in 46.3 overs.
“It was very important for someone to stay with me at the crease at that stage,” Raza said. “If not for them, it could have been different for us. I would have run out of partners.
“Umair [run-a-ball 23 with four fours] also played some excellent shots to relieve the pressure at crucial periods of our inning. And Asif [faced 38 balls] was solid in support.”
Danube Lions electing to take first lease of the wicket lost openers Gulraiz Sadaf (4) and Asif Iqbal (7) cheaply, and UAE international Mohammed Shahzad (12) fell at 48.
Shaiman Anwar (48 off 65 balls), Tharindu Mendis (49 off 83) and Samilullah Younus (31 off 35) chipped in with useful knocks to contribute to the total.
Meanwhile, the season in Abu Dhabi will continue throughout the summer with the Farlin Ramadan Twenty20 Cup starting from Thursday at the Zayed stadium.
The popular event has drawn 12 teams across the country. The teams are in three groups with the top two from each and the two best third-placed teams qualifying for the quarter finals.
Alubond Tigers 193 for 7 in 38.2 overs (Hasan Raza 76 not out, Rohan Mustafa 27, Umair Ali 23, Amjad Gul 21) bt Danube Lions 192 all out in 46.3 overs (Tharindu Mendis 49, Shaiman Anwar 48, Samiullah Younus 31, Nasir Aziz 3 for 45, Asif Mumtaz 2 for 31).
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